If there’s one thing the Dallas Cowboys always do is make a splash. For decades they have played at the signature Texas Stadium in Irving, a venue so well recognized on television with its hole in the roof, ostensibly so that “God can watch His team.” Despite breaking the mold in terms of suites, luxury seating and amenities and all the bells and whistles that placed the Cowboys head and shoulders above the rest, it was time for this franchise as well to think about opulent digs.

The result – Dallas Cowboys Stadium, built at an eye popping cost of $1.15-billion, making it one of the most dazzling, and expensive, sports stadiums in the entire world.

Getting to the Venue

Located in suburban Arlington, roughly equidistant between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Dallas Cowboys Stadium is easily accessible off of I-30. It is immediately adjacent to The Ballpark In Arlington, home of the MLB Texas Rangers, and in fact these two venues share some of their parking facilities.

There is no public transportation option. Just about the only way to get to the stadium is via automobile. While parking is plentiful, be prepared to pay a hefty price. Prices start at $40 per vehicle, and rapidly escalate to $60 as one gets closer to the stadium. The closest lots are reserved for premium seat holders, and we understand that those lots charge $75 per space.

There is little in the way of private lots or off street parking. There are some lots and streets on the north side of I-30, but then be prepared for a long walk.

Outside the venue

With plenty of surface lots and little else to do, tailgating was becoming a big institution here with the Dallas Cowboys. We were somewhat shocked when we visited the old Texas Stadium in 2001, only to find that substantial local ordinances in Irving prohibited open flames and alcoholic containers, and that those rules were just being relaxed. That being said, the Cowboys have strict rules about where tailgating is permitted, and most areas are relegated to grassy areas at the back of lots.

If pregame or postgame grub is your idea, then one can find just about anything to suit ones’ tastes on the north side of I-30 approximately a mile and a half away from the stadium doors. There are restaurants galore and many of the marquees can be spotted right off of the interstate.

The stadium and concourses

The architecture of this magnificent structure makes an immediate statement, with its tall arches, retractable elliptical shaped roof and its bold lines. The first time visitor will immediately be impressed at its size and scope. There are massive plazas on all four sides of the building, end zone glass walls which can open or close depending on the elements, and plenty of public space both inside and outside so that fans can merge seamlessly into the building.

The main entrances into the stadium are via each end zone, with the sideline entrances set up for premium seats and suites patrons. More on that later.

The most unfortunate part of the concourse layout here is that there is no 360 degree access, save for the uppermost 500 level. Public concourses here are vertical, with end zone access to all levels, but if you try to traverse around the building, inevitably you will come across a glass wall and a guarded doorway, where the Great Unwashed are not allowed to proceed any further. Here more than anyplace else we have seen, premium seating dominates the building, and those without access make do with the real estate provided to them.

The corridors here are somewhat bland and sterile, although the public plazas in the end zones are decorated by some sort of corporate sponsors at each level, giving a little bit of splash and flare to those areas (giant Pepsi cans in one end zone, and what seems to be an entire Ford car dealership in the other). Commissioned artwork, murals and sculptures adorn the plazas.The concession stand canopies are very very cool, basically a collection of side by side HD screens which show photos of the food, menu and price list, but can easily switch to on the field action or even out of town games.

The Seating Bowl

Make no mistake, the signature element of the seating bowl is the absolutely massive Mitsusbishi center hung high definition screen, which is the largest in the world and straddles the ceiling from the 20 yard line to the 20 yard line. It is a breathtaking sight, and the pixels can produce an image the equivalent of 1080p, Beyond that, the seating bowl is broken into five levels, which includes four rings of suites, and standing room viewing areas in large open air pavilions situated at each end zone. Standing room tickets are sold without reserved viewing spots, so these areas tend to fill up fast as soon as the gates open.

Another point to mention here is the dugout suites. These locations are at ground level, but with all the sideline personnel on the field these are most likely awful spots to actually watch the game on the field. The upper deck seats offer a great vantage point, and atop the seating bowl natural light filters into the building with plenty of glass as well as large glass panels in each end zone. Oh yeah, the roof is retractable as well.

Concessions

The same company that does the food at the new Yankee Stadium is the concessionaire here, and the boxcar prices definitely match, although the $8 for bottled domestic beer and $6 for a souvenir size soda pop is slightly less than the Yanks charge. The menu variety here is absolutely stupendous.

Try the Chile Kobe Burger, or the BBQ Burger ($13), or the Nathan’s Dog ($5.50), or the Truffled Mac and Cheese ($10) where you can add your own toppings. There are beef fajita tacos, Vegetarian nachos, cheese steak made Texas style. Just a sampling to add to the traditional fare of pizza, pulled pork, chicken and cheeseburger sandwiches. But again, be prepared to shell out plenty to eat and drink here.

Premium Seating

As we mentioned, the entire building is pretty much devoted to premium spaces and club seating. A ring of dugout suites runs around the ground level, with an event level club area. Same with the main level, where all sideline 100 seats are club seats, and a “Cowboys Club” occupies the sidelines of the main concourse. In fact, these club lounges occupy the sidelines at every level of the building except the upper concourse, and that is where the regular fans can meander around the entire circumference of the stadium without obstruction.

Banners/Retired Numbers

The vaunted “Ring of Honor” was brought over here from the old Texas Stadium and the names of 17 of the greatest Cowboys are enshrined on the walls in the seating bowl. Unfortunately, they did not do the same with some of their greatest exhibits. Their Super Bowl trophies and other Cowboys memorabilia are on display in trailers situated outside the stadium periphery, a cheesy way to pay homage to the greatest moments of the franchise’s history.

Touchdowns/Extra Points/Fumbles

-Touchdown, to the polite and helpful game day staff. Greeters meet you on the street with seating charts and offer directions. Security and lines are snappy. No arrogance or attitude whatsoever. The Cowboys make their guest feel welcome.

-Fumble. $60 to park? Seriously?

-Touchdown, the Cowboys won one of the most boring games we've ever seen on the USRT. A 7-6 win over their arch rival Redskins with the Cowboys lone TD coming late in the fourth quarter.

-Fumble, 50 years of storied tradition, and the best they could do is stash some of it in some converted trailer outside the stadium?

-Extra Point, Never has the separation between the high rollers and the masses been so pronounced as it is at Cowboys Stadium. Walking the circumference of the seating bowl is only possible in the upper deck. In all other levels fans are cut off by the premium seating areas between the 20 yard lines.

Fumble - ground level suites...directly behind the player's benches. What kind of view of the game could that possibly give a fan?

Touchdown - that giant video board above the center of the field. A fan can actually see the game by watching the game there as well as one sees the action on the field.

Summary

Your jaw will drop at the first sighting of Dallas Cowboys Stadium. It is an architectural marvel, by day and even more so at night when the building is bathed in lights. The roof is retractable. The end zone walls are retractable. The massive scoreboard will simply take your breath away. Yet as wonderful and dramatic this stadium is, it also represents everything that is wrong with sports, especially the NFL. The building is geared to serve high roller customers. Costs are out of control and totally out of touch with the average family who can in no away support these prices, beginning with ridiculous parking fees and no options for other ways to get to the stadium, three figure ticket prices in the nosebleeds, and ridiculous costs for a simple hot dog and a beverage. Give this pace high marks for the sheer size and opulence. But in the end, the stadium fails to make it to the absolute elite in the pack of its peer venues.